Obi failed to prove election was marred by irregularities, tribunal Rules

The Presidential Election Petition in Abuja has ruled that the Labour Party’s (LP) petition of irregularities against the 2023 presidential election was generic.

The Presidential candidate of the LP Peter Obi had alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reduced their scores and added it to All Progressives Congress (APC)’s votes.

But a judge amongst the five-member panel of Justices, Abba Mohammed said LP failed to supply particulars of what they actually scored before the said reductions, neither did they supply the polling units where it happened.

While reading the ruling on preliminary objections filed by the respondents against Peter Obi’s petition, Justice Mohammed said Obi’s petition only alleged widespread irrectularities without giving the particulars and in which polling units.

“Pleading must set out material facts and particulars. In the instant petition, there was no effort to prove specific allegations, particulars of complaints,” the Tribunal ruled on Wednesday in Abuja.

“The law is clear that where someone alleges irregularities in a particular polling unit, such person must prove the particular irregularities in that polling unit before that petition can succeed, ” the Tribunal added.

He said the petition stated that fictitious results were uploaded without stating the affected polling units.

He also added that the petition alleged overvoting and rigging without stating in which polling units they took place.

The petitioners only made generic allegations, Mr Mohammed says.

“It was only in one instance that figures were given of alleged suppressed votes and we all know that elections are about figures,” the tribunal said.